Monthly Archives: April 2010

The bacterial cell wall is a semirigid structure that gives the cell structure. Bacterial cell walls differ from the cell walls of eukaryotic cells mainly because of the presence of peptidoglycan. Peptidoglycan consists of two sugars: N-acetylglucosamine and n-acetylmuramic acid … Continue reading →

A flagellum (singular form of flagella) is a tail like structure that extends from the cell body of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. This tail like structure functions in locomotion and allows the cell to advance in various directions. Flagellar filaments … Continue reading →

The eukaryotic cell differs from the prokaryotic cell in several ways. The cell wall of eukaryotic cells does not contain peptidoglycan. Algae have cellulose in their cell walls, fungi have chitin in their cell walls, and the cell walls of … Continue reading →

In the past a microscopist had to know how to draw. Documentation was necessary and the only camera suitable for a microscope was the human eye. The camera lucida drawing tool was the standard aid for reproducing images from the … Continue reading →

Bacteria range in size from 1 to 10 microns in diameter and have a cell wall made mostly of peptidoglycan. Peptidoglycan consists of two sugars, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid as well as chains of amino acids. The two sugars alternate … Continue reading →

Biological microscopes are often used to measure artifacts, cells, cellular components (i.e. nuclear diameter) and other features as necessary using an eyepiece reticle. Typically, the objectives used on even a very high end research microscope do not exhibit exact magnification(s). … Continue reading →

IKA is a manufacturer of orbital shakers, one of them being the Lab Dancer. The lab dancer was designed to mix small test tube samples without touch function. This particular shaker is small, compact and reliable. It will fit small … Continue reading →

We are fascinated by 3D on the big screen. What about 3D of the tiny world of insects, flowers, and computer chips? If you wish to see in 3D and magnify at the same time you must use a stereo … Continue reading →

Microbial metabolism is the way in which microbes obtain the energy and nutrients required to survive. Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions within a living organism including anabolic (biosynthetic) and catabolic (degradative) reactions. Catabolism is the breakdown of … Continue reading →